A heavyweight showdown will be heading our way this Sunday as the Baltimore Ravens square off with the NFC West leaders Los Angeles Rams in an important Week 17 matchup. It is a must-win game for the Ravens, whose playoff lives are now hanging in the balance following Miami's victory on Monday Night Football. Here's a preview of the Rams vs Ravens clash.

Los Angeles Rams enter Week 17 as -4 favorites

The Los Angeles Rams grabbed the solo lead in the NFC West after a 30-23 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. It was a significant victory for the Rams, who climbed up to third place in the NFC standings with just two games left in the regular season. The Rams also clinched a playoff spot with the win, the fourth time they have reached the postseason under head coach Sean McVay.

The main goal for the Rams is to win the division title and ensure home-field advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs. Victories against the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers in their final two games will help them accomplish that feat.

For the Rams to extend their winning streak to five games against the Ravens, they will need to get a much-improved showing from Matthew Stafford. He struggled mightily in the win against the Vikings, completing just 21 of 37 passes for 197 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. It was Stafford's first three-interception game since September 10, 2018.

Fortunately for the Rams, their ground game was firing on all cylinders against Minnesota. Sony Michel punished the Vikings' defensive line all afternoon long, running for a career-high 131 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Powell also contributed, returning a punt 61 yards for a score in the third quarter.

Baltimore Ravens installed as +4 underdogs

The Baltimore Ravens wasted a huge opportunity to top the AFC North, losing 41-21 to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. The Ravens had no answer for Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who threw for a franchise-record 525 yards and four touchdowns.

It was a costly defeat for the Ravens, who dropped out of the playoff picture with the blowout loss. They are currently in eighth place in the AFC standings with an 8-7 record. The good news for the Ravens is that they share the same record as the Miami Dolphins, who hold the last wild card spot in the AFC heading into Week 17.

The Ravens struggled to put some points on the board in Week 16 with their two leading quarterbacks sidelined. Lamar Jackson was ruled out for the second consecutive game because of an ankle injury, while Tyler Huntley was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of the showdown with the Bengals.

The Ravens remain hopeful that Jackson can recover in time for their critical Week 17 clash with the Rams. He has not practiced the last three weeks, though, so rust will definitely be a factor if Jackson starts against LA. Huntley is another option for the Ravens as long as he tests negative for COVID-19 before Sunday's game.

Writer's Prediction

Baltimore stuns the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17.

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